Dr. Eknath Vasant Chitnis, a renowned Indian space scientist and a key figure in the nation’s early space programme development, passed away at his residence in Pune on Wednesday morning due to a heart attack. He was 100 years old and had been unwell for some time.
Born in July 1925, Dr. Chitnis was among the first generation of Indian scientists who laid the foundation of the country’s space exploration efforts. He worked closely with Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and played a key role in selecting the site for India’s first rocket launch at Thumba in Kerala. In the early 1960s, after an extensive location survey, he convinced Sarabhai of the equatorial advantage Thumba offered for space programmes.
Dr. Chitnis last served as Member Secretary of INCOSPAR. He was an instrumental figure in launching the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) programme and establishing remote sensing applications and space-based communication projects that brought television and telecommunications to rural India.
From 1981 to 1985, he served as the second Director of ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad. In recognition of his contributions to science and nation-building, Dr. Chitnis was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, in 1985.
It is said that it was he who reviewed Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s resume in 1962 and recommended his inclusion in a NASA training programme — a step that changed the course of India’s aerospace journey.
Life After Retirement
After retirement, Dr. Chitnis moved to Pune, where he continued to serve the nation by inspiring students and academics. He played a key role in establishing the Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC) at Savitribai Phule Pune University. He remained actively involved in academia for two decades, working on the development of communication and media applications for science and education.
Dr. Chitnis was also closely associated with the Press Trust of India for nearly three decades and served as its president twice, contributing significantly to strengthening science journalism in the country.
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